College Football Playoff Unveils New Trophy, A Stark Departure From BCS' Crystal Football

The National Championship Trophy presented by Dr Pepper was unveiled by College Football Playoff execs yesterday, and it was "modeled after the playoff's 'Gold Football' logo," according to Ryan Osborne of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. CFP Exec Dir Bill Hancock said that the organization "wanted the logo and trophy designs to go hand-in-hand." Osborne notes the logo is "anchored by the outline of a football, and that same outline tops the trophy and is the size of an actual football." The 35-pound trophy stands a "little more than two feet tall and replaces the crystal ball" that had been given to the winner of the BCS title game (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/15). ESPN.com's Heather Dinich noted the base of the trophy is "made of bronze with a black finish." Hancock said that the CFP was "looking for a design that was 'contemporary, bold and modern.'" Dinich wrote the trophy has a "modern, sleek look to it" (ESPN.com, 7/14).

REACTIONS TO THE NEW TROPHY: Reactions to the trophy varied on Twitter. CBSSPORTS.com's Tom Fornelli wrote it "kind of looks like the Bat Signal for the playoff" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/14). In Atlanta, Andy Johnston wrote it is a "priceless vase mixed with an Olympic torch" (AJC.com, 7/14). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Ben Cohen wrote it "resembles a fancy lipstick tube" (WSJ.com, 7/14). CBSSports.com's Jon Solomon wrote on his Twitter feed, "Has an Olympic feel to it." Former NFLer Kevin Mawae wrote it "looks like a Calla Lily." Mawae: "If you win more than 1 can u create a bouquet?" The AP's Ralph Russo wrote it "looks like something you'd place your palm on to open a door on a space ship _ or at Oregon's football facility." ESPN.com's Travis Haney: "Why is the base/stand a third of the new CFB playoff trophy? The actual trophy itself would seem ok, I think" (TWITTER.com, 7/14).